The Ministry of Health, Wellness, and Elderly Affairs, in collaboration with the EU-Caribbean Nutrition (EU-CaN) initiative and the Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO), recently hosted a two-day nutrition workshop at the Harbor Club Hotel in Rodney Bay.
The workshop, themed Creating Sustainable, Healthy School Food Environments, brought together a range of local, regional, and international stakeholders to develop solutions that will improve the nutritional standards of school meals in Saint Lucia.
Participants discussed key initiatives that are still in development, such as the national guidelines for school meals, bans on sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs), and policies related to school nutrition and feeding, all of which require greater collaboration for successful implementation.
According to the St Kitts and Nevis Observer, Permanent Secretary Jenny Daniel urged participants to fully engage and transform ideas into actionable change. She noted that improving nutrition in schools is vital for national well-being.
“By fostering a nutritious school environment we are not only preventing the onset of non-communicable diseases but also laying the foundation for a healthier, more resilient, and more productive society,” she said.
Daniel reaffirmed the ministry’s dedication to supporting the health and growth of Saint Lucian children. “Proper nutrition is not a luxury, it is a fundamental pillar of health. Children who are nourished with balanced, wholesome meals grow stronger, think more clearly, perform better academically and are more likely to realise their full potential as adults,” she added.
Chiara Tardivo, team leader for the Economic Resilience and Trade Partnership at the EU Delegation to Barbados, emphasised the EU’s ongoing commitment to food security in the Caribbean.
“Today, I am pleased to reaffirm the European Union commitment to bolster food security in the Caribbean,” she said. Tardivo described the EU-CaN Nourishing Futures initiative as “a testament of shared values and understanding of food security and innovation are fundamental for sustainable development and the well-being of future generations.”
She further expressed optimism about collaboration with regional partners, saying she was “happy that in collaboration with you, our local and regional partners, our joint efforts are indeed building on existing and ongoing initiatives such as the national guidelines and regulations of sugar sweetened beverages.”
From the Ministry of Education, Valerie Fletcher, Curriculum Specialist for Health and Family Life Education, expressed the importance of integrating nutrition and education. “The Ministry of Education embraced the concept that healthy bodies nurture bright minds,” she said. “Schools must become not just centres for academic instruction but also environments that model and reinforce healthy lifestyles.”
Fletcher highlighted the urgency of addressing rising health issues among children, such as obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, noting that improving school meals and discouraging sugary drinks are vital steps in tackling these problems.
Fiona Anthony, PAHO Country Program Specialist, reaffirmed her organsation’s commitment to advancing healthy school policies. “The Pan American Health Organisation (PAHO) proposes a holistic vision of school food and nutrition based on food security, nutrition and health,” she explained. The aim, she said, is to create conditions “where the healthiest choices are the easiest choices for everyone.”
The workshop engaged representatives from several agencies, including the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Agriculture, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), UNICEF, school principals, nutrition officers, and other key public health professionals.
Sounds very good.
Next time add representatives from school boards, PTAs, and school prefects.